University Extension Commons^™

Conservation-Related Payments And Expenditures, George Patrick

Rural Tax Education

Concerns about soil erosion, air and water quality, wildlife habitat and environmental protection have resulted in the rapid expansion of conservation-related programs. Generally, the benefits associated with these conservation programs accrue to society as a whole, rather than just to those specific individuals who incurred costs from the implementation of a conservation-related program. For these individuals, costs may exceed benefits. To encourage increased participation in conservation-related activities, payments may be made to producers, rural landowners, and others by federal, state, and local governments and private institutions.

This fact sheet identifies six types of conservation-related payments and expenditures and discusses how …

What Is Farming? Does Reporting Matter?, George Patrick

Rural Tax Education

Many rural families combine a number of economic activities to generate additional family income. Farm production activities may be combined with full-time employment in farming or in the non-farm sector. Part-time employment may involve several seasonal jobs during the year or a part-time job throughout the year.

Generally, an employed individual will receive a Form W-2 reporting the wages received and taxes withheld. In other situations, the individual may be contracted to perform a specified task or provide a service and properly receive a Form 1099-MISC. The individual generally has responsibility for paying the self-employment tax as well as the …

Basis, Dennis Kauppila

Rural Tax Education

Basis is a short version of the term ‘Adjusted Tax Basis.’ Basis measures an owner’s investment in an asset. Usually basis decreases each year by the amount of depreciation taken on the asset. When it comes time to sell an asset, basis is just about the only thing that can lower the tax bill. Gains (which are taxable) are figured using basis, so keeping track of the adjusted tax basis of assets is important. This is how basis is used to figure a gain:

Sales Price - Basis = Gain.

Lease Vs. Purchase Of Machinery, Warren Lee

Rural Tax Education

Leasing or purchasing of machinery and equipment represent alternative ways for farm operators to acquire assets for agricultural production. Leasing has increased in popularity with agricultural producers. Manufacturers and financial institutions view leasing and selling equipment as alternative means to generate business. By comparing the net present value of the after-tax costs, farmers can determine the least expensive way to acquire machinery or other assets in the farmer’s specific situation. Key factors in the lease vs. purchase decision are the interest rate on loans, lease payments, the taxpayer’s marginal tax rate, and the taxpayer’s after-tax discount rate that reflects …

Net Operating Losses, Philip E. Harris

Rural Tax Education

Weather, disease and variable prices for inputs and commodities cause farmer’s income to fluctuate from one year to the next. Farmers can minimize their income tax liability by managing the timing of their income and deductions to keep their taxable income level. In some cases, the leveling technique is not enough to avoid a spike in taxable income or a dip that causes taxable income to go below zero. The tax effect of the spikes can be minimized with income averaging rules. The tax effect of the dips below zero can be managed with the net operating loss (NOL) rules …

Alternative Minimum Tax, Philip E. Harris

Rural Tax Education

Congress imposes the alternative minimum tax (AMT) on taxpayers to prevent them from combining several tax exclusions, deductions and credits to pay very little or no federal income tax even though they have significant income. When it was first enacted in 1969, the AMT affected only a few, very high-income taxpayers. Since it was first imposed, changes to the regular tax rules cause many more taxpayers to pay the AMT. This fact sheet gives a basic explanation of the AMT, some examples of situations that cause taxpayers to pay it, and some planning techniques to minimize the impact of the …

Like-Kind Exchange (Trade) Of Business Assets, Guido Van Der Hoeven

Rural Tax Education

During the course of operating a farm or ranching business, operators will dispose of property used in the business. Disposition can occur in a variety of ways. A sale and/or trade (like-kind exchange) of property are two common methods of disposition. The purpose of this discussion is to illustrate correct income tax reporting procedures when business properties are disposed of over the course of time through like-kind exchanges.

This discussion will focus on the like-kind exchange of tangible personal property (i.e. equipment and vehicles) commonly known as trade-ins. The point of the discussion is to bring readers a better understanding …

Sale Of Business Property, Guido Van Der Hoeven

Rural Tax Education

During the course of operating a farm or ranch business, producers will dispose of property (e.g., livestock, equipment, real estate, etc.) used in the business. This can occur in a variety of ways with two common methods being sales of assets and trading (like-kind exchange) of property. The purpose of this fact sheet is to discuss and illustrate correct income tax reporting when business assets are sold.

This discussion also addresses, for income tax purposes, different types of business assets and their tax treatment upon selling them. One common example is the sale of cull breeding animals that were raised …

Farm, Farming And Who’S A Farmer For Tax Purposes, Guido Van Der Hoeven

Rural Tax Education

Meeting the qualifications of farming and being a farmer under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) allows for special benefits; however, not all agricultural producers meet these qualifications even if they are producing agricultural products, which is why it is vitally important for operators of farms and their tax professionals to understand the IRS tax definitions of farm, farming and farmer. One of the benefits of being classified as a farmer is the exclusion of certain receipts from income as in the case of conservation payments as allowed under IRC Section 175.

Operators of farming businesses may associate the term farmer …

Choices For Your Farm Operating Loss, George F. Patrick

Rural Tax Education

Many young or beginning farmers may find that their projected farm expenses exceed anticipated farm receipts for the current tax year. These farm losses may be experienced during a start-up period. However other losses may be the result of unexpected events. For some producers, farm losses may generate cash inflows in the form of tax refunds. Tax law allows choices with respect to farm losses. Farm losses realized in one tax year may be carried back 2 years or 5 years1 to obtain refunds of taxes previously paid. If the loss is not carried back, or if the full loss …

Form 1099 Information Returns, Jerry S. Pierce Jr.

Rural Tax Education

The 1099 tax form is used to report various forms of income (other than wages, salaries, and tips) to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to the recipient of the payment. Agriculture producers may both receive Form 1099 information returns and be required to issue them. The Form notifies the IRS and the recipient of the payment. The IRS will then look for the amounts from the Form 1099s to show up on the recipient’s Federal tax return. This article covers many 1099s that producers may encounter.